Shifting wind patterns prompted a 75,000-acre wildfire in southern San Diego County to focus its destructive energies in new directions today, authorities said.
As onshore air currents replaced a protracted period of bone-dry Santa Ana winds, the Harris fire began moving to the northeast, toward Campo, Hauser Canyon, Jamul, Lake Morena and Lyons Valley, according to Cal Fire.
Crews spent their fourth day on the lines of the fierce blaze working to protect those communities along the state Route 94 corridor.
The fire, which has destroyed at least 200 homes and damaged about 250 others, was 10 percent contained tonight, the agency reported. More than 1,300 firefighters were battling the flames.
Cal Fire expects full containment on Sunday, with full control on Nov. 4.
In most of the threatened communities, authorities were encouraging residents to pack up and leave their homes as a precaution instead of ordering them to do so.
Two days ago, the conflagration was moving ominously toward populated areas in the southwestern reaches of the county, including Bonita, Chula Vista, Otay Mesa and southern San Diego. Mandatory evacuations in many of those areas were lifted yesterday as the spread of the flames began to shift.
Within a few hours of its origin on Sunday, the fast-moving blaze killed Tecate resident Thomas Varshock, 52, near Harris Ranch and Potrero Valley roads.
About 50 homes were lost in Deerhorn Valley on Monday night.
Firefighters were able to save some 250 threatened homes in Spring Valley, officials said.
Seven firefighters have suffered burns and other injuries battling the blaze.
The cost of fighting the Harris Fire has reached about $3.4 million, according to Cal Fire.
